We, the parish of Sacred Heart, are committed to enriching the Spirituality of the parish family, the Christian community, and all brothers and sisters created in God's divine image and likeness.  We are called by the Holy Spirit, under the leadership of our Bishop and Pastor, to assist others through the development and promotion of various ministries.  We pray for Divine guidance that we may serve others with truth, courage, forethought, and compassion.

We offer our prayer for peace in solidarity with the Holy Father, Pope Francis for Peace in Ukraine.

We ask for the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel the Patron Saint of Ukraine, to bring peace and hope to this nation and its people.

Lord, look down with mercy and compassion on Your humble servants, and out of love for mankind hearken and have mercy on us and on the land of Ukraine.

Lift up those who fight in defense of Ukraine and her much suffering people, outnumbered though they be.

With deep compassion and mercy enlighten and make glad the hearts of the civil authorities and strengthen them by Your might.

 St. Michael the Archangel Pray for us.

NEW HORIZONS:
THE GOSPEL OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN
By:  Fr. Mark Watson, Pastor

 In this Sunday’s Gospel a lawyer approaches Jesus in order to test him.  The scholar asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Instead of answering the question, Jesus asks the scholar to answer the question himself.  The scholar answers that one is to “love the Lord your God with your whole heart and your whole soul and your whole strength and your whole mind” which is taken from Deut. 6:4-5 and your neighbor as yourself from Lev 19:18.   Jesus agrees with the answer and tells the lawyer that if he does this he will live.

 
THE CALL TO BE NEIGHBOR

 The lawyer attempts to trap Jesus by asking, “Who is my neighbor?”   When the lawyer asks this question, he fully expects Jesus to quote the Jewish Law by stating that our neighbors are our countrymen or the sojourners in the land.  The answer of the Law is narrow.  Instead of simply quoting the Law, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan and in so doing shows that all are our neighbor. 

In the story a man travels through a dangerous area from Jerusalem down to Jericho.  He falls in with robbers and is beaten, robbed and left half-dead on the side of the road.  In his writing the Scripture Scholar L. T. Johnson shows just how shocking this story is.    The robbery itself is shocking.  In addition, it is shocking that two religious leaders see the man and yet pass by on the other side of the road.  They certainly should have cared for a fellow Jew who was suffering.   Instead, they can’t be bothered.  The next shocking aspect of the story is that the person who does stop is a Samaritan.  For approximately seven hundred years there had been an ongoing hatred between Samaritans and Jews based on religious and ethnic differences.  It is surprising that that it is the Samaritan who approaches and shows compassion to the Jew who suffers.    In this moment of need he did not consider race or religious belief.  We likewise are to help others without considering issues that divide people.

The Samaritan feels compassion for the man and takes the chance of stopping, caring for the man, placing him on his beast, taking him to an inn, and so doing increasing his own vulnerability.  The Samaritan likewise gives the innkeeper money for the man’s care and promises more money if needed on the way back.  It is the hated enemy who shows compassion. The story is told in a very purposeful way.  The story calls us to be neighbor to all.  The point is not who is worthy to be cared for but instead calls us to treat everyone   encountered—however frightening, alien, naked or defenseless—with compassion.  Jesus does not clarify a point of Law, but changes law into Gospel.  One who desires eternal life must love as did the Samaritan. 

 
HOW DO WE LIVE THIS GOSPEL?
 

This reading does not call us to merely help those in an emergency situation as is the meaning we normally think about a “good Samaritan”.  We are not only to love in emergency situations, but our lives are to be characterized by love.    

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows us that inheriting eternal life is not only about having faith but is about living a life of love.  Jesus shows the lawyer that he must be neighbor to all without distinction.  This Gospel reminds us that we are to treat all as our neighbor.

Jesus leaves the lawyer with a challenge and Jesus leaves us with the same challenge, “You go and do the same!” (Luke 10:37).  We do not know how the lawyer will respond to Jesus’ challenge.   And how will you respond?

Sacred Heart Family,

Sacred Heart Grief Support Group is Helping families recover from the loss of a love one.  I also see a need for a Family Support Group to aid our families with a variety of needs, to be able to reach out in a safe and confidential way with other couples.  I would like to start a Sacred Heart Family Support Group.  The aim is to have family couples that are open minded and nonjudgmental that can listen to each other and share personal reflections.

The aim is to:
· Increase the strength and resilience of families
· Support better family relationships so to reach their full           potential
· Helps families make acquaintances with other families and     resources in the community
· Provides individualized, family-driven support that respects family culture, values, and preferences
 
Benefits
· Increases families' level of knowledge about family   relationships
· Connects parents with similar experiences
· Reduces the sense of stress and isolation
· Provides opportunities for families to support each other
 
Please let me know if you would be interested in starting this ministry at Sacred Heart.   Just email me individually at deaconnash@sacredheartshreveport.org
 
 
                                              Deacon Clary Nash
 

Click for Parent Registration Forms.

You can now donate/tithe/contribute online towards the needs of our church.
Please visit our online-giving page at the top bar of this page.

How the Lucky Calendar Numbers work for you  and
work for the good of the Church

This is what the fundraiser provides to this church:
 

• The intent is to gift 80% of sales above the cost of the program each year to the church.
• to provide a fun filled stress free Fall Fair for you, your family, and friends. 
• to show appreciation to Mother’s and Father’s by giving gifts this year and future.
• to help offset the cost to send our youth to different camps/events/retreats.
• If all 1,000 numbers are sold THIS year for 2022 calendar year, That equals $25,000.
• If all 1,000 numbers are sold, the guaranteed payout would be around $9,000

1. The gaming commission has approved this to be a fundraiser.
2. Each Lucky Calendar Number is assigned a 3-digit number
3. The winning numbers ARE the Louisiana Lottery Pick 3 numbers which are drawn & announced every night at 10 pm except Easter and Christmas when there is no drawing. 
4. For you, the payout is like this: if your number is drawn Monday through Friday, you win $25.00.  If it’s drawn on a Saturday, you win $35.00 and if it is drawn on a Sunday you win $50.
5. But if your # is drawn on one of the 20 selected special days listed on the Lucky Number, you win $100, $200 or $300 instead of the above prize.
6. There is no limit to how many times you can win, it’s all based on the Pick 3 numbers.
7. The Pastoral Council keeps up with the numbers, you don’t have to unless you choose to.
8. Each Monday winning numbers are recorded and checks are mailed. 
9. Each Lucky Calendar Number cost $25.

• Each Church family take 5 Lucky Numbers to sell to family, friends, and co-workers, etc. and be sure to turn in the address portion &  money in to the church.
• Buy one for yourself
• Buy one for your significant other
• Give as gifts

Have fun and play along.  You’ll be glad you did!

The Pastoral Council

After Wed. Morning Mass and
30 minutes before Weekend Masses)

Location:
4736 Lyba Street
Shreveport, LA   71109-0467

Postal Mail:
4736 Lyba Street
Shreveport, LA   71109-0467

Rectory:            318-635-2121
Church:             318-635-2121
Fax:                  318-635-5226
Gabriel Hall:     318-635-5446